The large family homes could be built along Sandy Lane as a farm-owning family prepare t sell up.

Andrew Bradshaw has put in a planning application to tear down Maxy House Farm and the surrounding stables and farm buildings.

In its place a small development with a brand new access road, joining Sandy Lane where Tabley Lane currently connects.

Penwortham based Anyon Architects say in the documents submitted to Preston City Council the proposal would bring a “diversity” to the North West edge of Preston’s housing.

The area is currently being consulted on the city council’s ‘garden city’ masterplan.

The Sandy Lane development would, according to Anyon, not conflict with the larger housing developments planned with the areas.

They state: “The proposed site is for a very small number of units which as the the previous documents illustrate will not prejudice the significantly larger proposals approved in outline or pending determination and would also introduce an element of diversity and choice into a market area that otherwise will be restricted to the major national and regional housing developers .

“The site is currently self contained for stables and dwelling house,with a single access to Sandy Lane with land in the applicants owner ship for appropriate site lines.

“The quantity and type of vehicular traffic that is generated by the stables could equate to and probably exceed that generated by the proposed development.”

The developers argue although the development would be completely car dependant, the re-opening of Lea Road station and infrastructure developments alongside the North West Preston masterplan would ease the pressure on traffic in the area.

All 14 of the new properties would be detatched houses with gardens – the kind of family homes the city is under pressure to provide.

The architects say all nearby local residents, and the local sports club and Parish Council, have been sent a letter detailing the plans.